Chapter Text
Severus sat by a tree in the woods near his town, feeling exhausted. He still couldn't get Lily to forgive him. His only friend had abandoned him. Sure, he had insulted her, but she had laughed at him as well as Potter. How could she do such a thing? He tried not to think about it, but he couldn't forget his humiliation. It was his spell. Damn Potter had stolen his potions book. Thank Merlin, there was only one spell, but it was his.
The constant humiliation, the mockery, the werewolf, the fight with Lily. Every year his life only got worse. He'd just come back from the graveyard. From his mother's grave. She'd been dead for years, but the pain was still fresh. If it hadn't been for his father, she would have survived. But he was the reason her health was so weak. Why didn't she just leave him? Sure, she was kicked out of the family, but still. She and Severus would have managed somehow.
The teen hugged his knees. He's so tired of everything. Why couldn't anyone understand him? What had he done wrong?
-Sev?
Severus jumped. Regulus? What he?..
Regulus was a year younger than he was. The younger brother of Sirius Black. Always quiet and buried in books. But he always calmed the Slytherins when they were pissed off by the Gryffindors, always helped with their studies and just listened if someone needed to talk. He was always in the school uniform or robes.
The teen in front of Severus was in Muggle jeans and a sweater, with a backpack over his shoulders. The pureblood Regulus Black looked like a muggle boy wandering through the woods.
-Regulus? - Black shrugged one shoulder. - Why are you here? Dressed like that?
-I'm walking.
As if that explained anything!
Regulus flopped down next to Severus. The latter relaxed a little. It was always calm with Reggie. He could even be called a friend if he made friends with someone. Severus didn't remember Regulus hanging out with anyone other than Barty. And Barty looked more like Regulus's younger brother than a friend.
-What's the matter? Are you from the graveyard? Or is it Lily?
-Both,- Severus replied muffled. - Lily will never forgive me.
Regulus said nothing. Severus was grateful for that. He had been told more than once to stop communicating with Lily. But he just couldn't. He didn't know what to do. On one side was Lily. But on the other, Slytherin. The current Lord Slytherin was said to be a powerful wizard. Although the Gryffindors and Dumbledore described him as a real monster. But that's what they said about all Slytherins. Lord Slytherin was gathering people to strengthen his position and start fighting for better protection for wizards. For kids. Severus instinctively squeezed his right hand where his father's hand had only recently left bruises.
Regulus leaned against a tree.
-The Blacks have a distant relative, Pandora. No one talks to her, not even Sirius. It is forbidden. I've always talked to her. - Severus widened his eyes. - It can be called an rebellion. What will you share?
Severus looked into the distance.
-I can't forgive Lily. She knows what my life is like. And she laughed anyway. She knows it was my spell. But she has been my only friend for so long that I cannot let her go. But seeing her laugh at Potter's prank ...
Regulus's eyes narrowed. Severus only now noticed that they were much lighter than Sirius's. Almost white eyes.
-They did something. - It wasn't a question.
Severus grimaced, opening his mouth, but the words didn't come out. Reggie nodded.
-The oath. Dumbledore? Though who else could it be.
Severus nodded, sitting up straight. Reggie was always spending time with books. He should have known about the oaths. And he was well aware of the Maraders' character. Why hadn't Severus thought to approach him at the first place?
-What can you tell me?
Snape thought. He considered the words carefully.
-Dumbledore said I owed Potter because he saved me. But he wasn't saving me, he was saving two of his friends. He told me not to talk about what happened, otherwise he would have expelled me and not them. - Those weren't Dumbledore's exact words, of course the old bastard would never put himself in harm's way, but it was true.
Regulus rubbed his cheek as he thought.
-Lupin's a werewolf. Don't be surprised, it's kind of obvious. That's the reason. - Severus nodded at that. - Hmm. You didn't know and Potter intervened. So something happened because of Sirius? - Nod. - Naturally, no incident is done without that idiot, - Regulus muttered. - Life debt that's what Dumbledore was talking about. But you took an oath of silence. Technically you saved both Potter and his friends. Besides, - Regulus frowned, - I think Dumbledore is up to something. The oath of silence was illegal. Oaths like that are very dangerous. Especially if you choose the wrong words. You can try to cancel both.
-How? - Severus asked immediately.
-Repeat after me. I, Severus Tobias Snape, ask Lady Magic to release me from all oaths imposed on me by others or taken by me under the pressure of others and I ask Lady Magic to judge whether James Potter is worthy of my life debt.
Severus repeated word for word. His left wrist warmed for a second. He exhaled, feeling a burning sensation in his tongue. He tried to talk about the werewolf. And immediately he told Reggie everything. The boy nodded thoughtfully.
-The oaths were canceled. Potter was saving himself and his friends, not you. But Lily must have known something was wrong, no? You were still together at the time. Sev, you've noticed that I don't have any friends, even though I talk to a lot of people, right? - He nodded. He'd always been curious about that part. - That's because I prefer either acquaintances or family or real friends. I have many acquaintances. My family is Barty, Pandora and Arcturus. But I have no friends. If I were you, Lily would be my acquaintance.
Severus furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Regulus did not mention his parents and brother. But why would Lily be just acquaintance?
-You introduced her to the world of magic, Severus. You were her first friend, too. You always supported her and helped her with her lessons. But she never paid attention to your bruises or your strange silence about Lupin, she laughed at the prank, even though she knew Potter had stolen your spell. She has a bunch of friends, admirers, and perspective now. She takes you for granted.
Severus swallowed. Regulus was right. Lily was treating him more and more condescendingly. Like some kind of pet. But she always ran to him for help if she had problems with lessons. He let out a sigh.
-Why didn't you socialize with people from other houses? There are those who don't make the differentiate between houses. Because of Lily?
Right. Severus assured himself that only Lily would be friends with him. He is awkward, thin, with greasy hair because potions. He belongs with the Death Eaters, whom the Gryffindors spoke of with fear and contempt. Especially Sirius Black. He screamed that his whole family was there.
-You... the Death Eaters that everyone is talking about... - Severus was not sure how to voice it.
-Not what it looks like. If they are scary then other do not particularly meddle in their business. - Regulus looked up at the sky. - They want to keep the wizarding world of Britain safe from muggles. This is understandable, because Hogwarts was once built for this purpose. But it's been forgotten. What do you think of your mom, Sev?
-She was very soft. Not like most purebloods. She loved my father too much, although he did not deserve it. Part of me now understands why her family...
Reggie looked him in the eye. Severus was surprised to see the blue spark on the iris of his right eye.
-But she chose that, right? And followed the choice to the end. Therefore, she was stronger than you think.
Severus hadn't thought about it. Although he never considered his mother weak. In health, yes, but not in spirit. Maybe that's why Tobias once fell in love with her?
-Don't you think to make a choice?
Choice. Severus swallowed. Leave Lily? Or become strong like his mom? After all, she left the family that she loved so much. To live her own life.
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They went to Gringotts. Reggie said he would pay for everything. Severus wasn't sure what he was talking about. He didn't want to be in debt, but Regulus just shook his head. Snape swallowed a lump in his throat. He had the feeling that his fate was now being decided.
The goblins had a special potion that completely removes someone's blood from the body. Father, mother, another relative. Severus immediately named his father. After the potion, his appearance changed instantly. A straight nose, smooth milky skin, silky hair grown to the shoulder blades, dark blue eyes. Reggie also asked the goblins for a inheritable test for him. Severus had never even heard of such a thing.
Severus Octavian Ravenclaw Prince
Mother: Eileen Snape nee Prince
Talents:
Potions \ Air Magic \ Legilimency \ Occlumency
Bloodline:
Prince - Heir \ Ravenclaw - Lord
Relation:
Slytherin - one branch, divided 304 years ago into the Prince and the Gaunt families
Vault:
107 \ 207 \ 598
Property:
Ravenclaw Castle
-How is this possible? - he muttered.
Reggie examined his test closely.
-Your mom might have been expelled from the family, but you obviously aren't. Perhaps they don't even know about you. As for Ravenclaw. - He looked at the goblin with them. - Is the current Lord Prince not aware of this?
-It's hard to say, - said the goblin, looking over the notes. - The Ravenclaw inheritance seems to have stopped about three hundred years ago. It went through your mother's side. I suppose your grandmother is a Ravenclaw heiress, but only men can be Lords. Apparently in your grandmother's family, for several generations only girls were born, which is why the title has been unclaimed for so long. Technically, you are a Lord, but some things will only be available to you after you come of age. For example, the right to sit on the Wizengamot session. Although you can appoint a proxy to do so on your behalf.
-I didn't think that the founders of Hogwarts still had any descendants who could have the title, - said Regulus slowly, though he was not surprised that Severus belonged to the Ravenclaw family. I know for a fact that the Hufflepuff had many children, but of course there were no "pure" heirs left in the end. But didn't Rowena only have a daughter who died young?
-You're well informed, Mr. Black. You're right about the Hufflepuff. However, the Ravenclaw had relatives, just not children. Technically, their descendants now carry the title of Ravenclaw. But wizards rarely care about such things, right?
Regulus snorted, admitting the goblin was right. Unless it is known that Rowena's Ravenclaw relatives did something more significant than founding Hogwarts, people will continue to say that the people who hold the title are her descendants.
-The vault 598 was opened by your mother, wasn't it? - Severus nodded. - Move everything to 207 for comfort. Hmm. Does the Lord Prince know about Severus?
The goblin tapped his chin with a quill.
-I'm not sure. As far as I know, there's no one else left of the Princes except him and his wife. This may be why he didn't remove Lord Ravenclaw from the family.
Reggie narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
-Technically, underage wizards should have magical guardians. If Eileen Prince is dead, then Severus' guardian is the Headmaster of Hogwarts?
Severus jumped up.
-This old one? .. - He coughed. The goblin chuckled.
-That's right. He automatically becomes the guardian of students who have none.
-It will take time to contact the Prince family, - Regulus said, squinting his eyes. - Dumbledore made Severus take an illegal oath, how could that be used?
The goblin instantly bristled.
-Then he is not worthy of the title of guardian. Was there anything else?
-Domestic abuse, - Severus said immediately. - If he doesn't know about it, he's all the more a failure as a guardian.
The goblins checked him medically and certified everything. Reggie paid for his treatment, too.
-You can ask magic to rid you of Dumbledore's guardianship, - the goblin said. - He usually uses guardianship to keep track of students in the summer. He can track their location. He won't feel cancellation.
Severus did so immediately. Regulus looked at his test again.
-The title of Lord gives you the right to be left without a guardian now, but you are still underage. Dumbledore could use the fact that Tobias is your muggle guardian, but then abuse would come out. Tobias would be deprived of parental rights.
-Then they'll send me to the orphanage, - Severus said. It didn't scare him, though. He is already sixteen.
-You'll stay with me for now, - said Regulus. - We're going to Arcturus. It's time for me to talk to him.
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The Black family was one of the most powerful and ancient pureblood families in Britain. Their decisions mattered even to other purebloods. But this family had its own hierarchy. The head of the family was Lord Black, Arcturus Black. Wise, powerful, cold-blooded. His words were the law in the family. Not just among the Blacks, in fact.
Regulus was the youngest son of his parents, but he bore his grandfather's name. They were similar in appearance and character. Arcturus named him his heir. This decision was not dared to be questioned, even if it was unusual. Normally the eldest son of a family was considered the heir apparent; rarely was anyone else chosen. But Reggie became heir when he was not even three years old. Sirius had not yet stood out so much from the rest of the Blacks. But Arcturus didn't even look in his direction when he simply said as fact. The heir is Regulus.
When Sirius entered Gryffindor, the family cheered Arcturus' decision. Sirius was still his parents' heir, but not the Blacks'. When Sirius ran off to the Potters, his parents disowned him, delighting in their youngest son. Or rather, it was Walburga who delighted. Orion had never shown any interest in the position of heir or Lord. Sometimes Regulus wondered if that was the reason why Orion and Arcturus did not get along.
Reggie didn't care. Nothing had changed for him. He talked to Pandora, which was rebellion. He studied the muggle world, which was treason. He knew that Arcturus knew. Grandfather had once seen him buying muggle sweets. He said nothing about it. But he raised an eyebrow knowingly, causing Reggie to shrug his shoulders in embarrassment, hiding the chocolate in his pockets.
Reggie had disappeared for hours somewhere almost every day since he was a kid. His parents weren't as perfect as they wanted to seem, since they didn't know it. As a little boy, Regulus would pack his children's backpack while they were away, told Kreacher to keep quiet about it and left to investigate. He liked just looking at the places around him. The first couple of times he was noticed by the muggles, concerned about the absence of a escort with him, but then that stopped abruptly. As he got a little older, Regulus guessed that Arcturus had put spells on him to help him avoid unnecessary attention. In fact, it might have been Orion, but Regulus doubted it. He suspected that his father was aware of his actions, but was silent as always. Orion never seemed interested in his children.
So Reggie continued. He studied books that attracted attention. Explored the world around. But he never really talked about it with his grandfather. They discussed books, news and sometimes what they saw on their travels. Now it's time for them to talk.
Arcturus put his papers aside as Regulus walked into his office, dropping his backpack. The teenager sat down in a chair across from his grandfather's desk.
-Have you been out for a walk? - Reggie nodded. - Will you tell me about it?
Regulus told him about Severus's situation. Arcturus stroked his beard thoughtfully.
-I know Octavian Prince. And I remember that his daughter ran away from home. He never mentioned his grandson. I will contact him.
-It made me thinking about Dumbledore, - Reggie remarked. - Werewolf. Why suddenly? Lupin owes him everything now. It's very useful when werewolves are drawn to the Dark Lord.
-Slytherin with an vow, - Lord Black nodded. - How useful when he’s so obviously pulled into the Death Eaters.
They looked at each other knowingly. Both have heard rumors about the dark side. Regulus has the walls of his room covered in newspaper clippings. The parents do not ask questions and leave him alone while he leaves to rebel. Arcturus and Regulus both knew that rumors are rumors. Orion and Walburga don't know what's behind the rumors. Bellatrix doesn't say much about it, but Regulus sees lies when she repeats the rumors. Arcturus hears lies as dark wizards repeat rumors in the Ministry.
Behind a veil there is a mystery. Which Albus Dumbledore doesn't know.
-Sirius, - Reggie says. - A light wizard from a dark family. He's more handy to use than those two put together.
-He's in Dumbledore's debt, too, and easily tossed out, - Arcturus chuckles.
As a child, Regulus considered Sirius his older brother, but he stopped even before he entered Gryffindor. Which of the two of them is weak? The idiot is completely in the web that he himself jumped headfirst into.
Dumbledore is up to something. This is a very long game. Except something isn't going according to plan, obviously. Otherwise the rumors wouldn't be rumors.
-It's time to get it done, - says Arcturus.
He's never had much love for family. Relatives don't have to be loved. They didn't give a reason. Orion never said why he gave Regulus his name, but it fit. Arcturus always noticed him. And then he noticed the little boy picking up his little backpack, sticking his tongue out with eagerness, and going to explore. It was just a house then, but it was a real adventure for such a little kid who had barely learned to walk properly. That's when Arcturus realized the reason why he was looking at him. Arcturus called Regulus his heir that day.
Arcturus and Regulus are alike. The boy is a proud and silent wolf, with the venom of a snake and the grace of a cat. A true Black. Arcturus did not care for his relatives, his son made him feel resigned and his daughter-in-law made him laugh, and his eldest grandson never existed for him. It was only Arcturus and Regulus. Naturally, Lord Black will not let others prevent the boy from his wishes. To explore the world, to eat sweets by the fountain, to walk around in muggle clothes. It didn't change Reggie's nature. He was still the next Lord Black. Arcturus had always been annoyed by Orion's indifference to that. Orion had been preparing to be the next Lord since he was a child, but had lost interest in it by adulthood. Of course, Arcturus was not a perfect father, often not seeing his children because of work, but that didn't mean he didn't love them. His daughter understood that perfectly, he was calm about her because she had a loving family. Orion had made his own choice, turning his back on the possibility of being anything more than a relative. If he showed he wanted to be Lord, if he tried, Arcturus would make him his heir.
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Reggie bought Severus normal muggle clothes and robes, though Severus tried to refuse.
-Become a Potions Master, open a business, pay me back then.
That sounded good. Severus really thought about it. He would pay back his debt to Regulus, he swore to himself. After the stores, Regulus led him to his home. Severus remembered Sirius' complaints that his house was always dark and soaked with dark magic, and that Regulus had newspaper clippings everywhere in his room about the Dark Lord's dealings. But Reggie took him to his home.
Arcturus' house. Two-storied mansion with an attic, on a mountain with a beautiful view. The house is light, it smells of pine needles and coffee. The attic belongs entirely to Reggie. The house has a huge library, where Regulus often sleeps right by the fireplace. There are two huge pillows and three plaids just for him. The kitchen has a separate shelf for sweets. This is Arcturus' and Regulus' home.
And Lord Black. Noble, stately, calm. With light eyes like Regulus'. He has the First Class Order of Merlin. Sirius thought it for a pile of money that was donated to the Ministry by Arcturus. Severus takes one glance to feel the magic bubbling like lava in a volcano. Sirius knew nothing at all.
Reggie showed Severus his room. Then he talked about suspicions about Dumbledore. It made sense. Now it did. Why else would Dumbledore have a werewolf and a Slytherin under his thumb? Sirius is definitely an idiot. The words about the Dark Lord made Severus think. Only Dumbledore spoke of his appearance. Red eyes, serpentine features. But no one had ever seen the Dark Lord himself. And the attacks of the Death Eaters were kind of messy.Severus had to admit, if Reggie hadn't pointed it out, he he wouldn't have noticed. This made him take a fresh look at his companion. Regulus wasn't stupid or weak or dependent on his parents at all. He was just the opposite of that.